The UK is bracing for Storm Eowyn, as a tornado warning and danger-to-life alert have been issued. The Met Office escalated yellow weather warnings to amber alerts, cautioning of flying

debris and hazardous conditions on Friday.

A striking weather map reveals when and where Storm Eowyn is expected to hit, with powerful winds of up to 90mph, heavy rain, and potential snowfall in the forecast.

The European Storm Forecast Experiment (Estofex) has also raised a level two alert, warning that tornadoes are a possibility. The South of England, particularly areas from Bristol to Bournemouth and London, is at the greatest risk, with severe wind gusts and possible tornado events predicted.

Storm Eowyn, the first named storm of 2025, is anticipated to be particularly intense. Exposed coastal regions along the Atlantic are expected to bear the brunt, with Northern Ireland, northern England, northwestern Wales, and western Scotland facing significant impacts. Residents in these areas have been urged to prepare for the storm, which is forecast to affect parts of northern England and Scotland from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday.

A timelapse map tracking Storm Eowyn’s path highlights areas likely to face the worst conditions, with travel disruptions and power outages expected.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mike Silverstone of the Met Office stated: “Storm Eowyn will bring a period of very unsettled, potentially disruptive weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday. “The strongest gusts are likely across parts of Northern Ireland, northern England, northwestern Wales, and western Scotland, with exposed areas potentially experiencing gusts over 80mph. This could cause significant impacts for those in these regions.
“Heavy rain will also accompany the storm, creating unpleasant conditions as we head into the weekend. With the initial warning issued days in advance, it’s important to stay informed as more details emerge.”

The Met Office has issued separate yellow warnings for wind, rain, and snow covering different parts of the UK. In Scotland, a yellow wind warning will remain in place until 3 p.m. on Saturday. Meanwhile, Ireland’s weather service has issued a rare red warning ahead of Storm Eowyn’s arrival, predicting “severe, damaging, and destructive gusts.”

While the Met Office is still tracking the storm’s precise path, some areas are expected to experience peak gusts of up to 90mph. Snow may also be on the way, as the storm interacts with cold air masses.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson advised drivers to take extra caution: “The wet and windy weather brought about by Storm Éowyn will make driving much more of a challenge towards the end of this week, especially for those in the west of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“Strong winds mean there’s a higher likelihood of fallen branches and trees on rural routes between motorways and A-roads, which can obstruct journeys and puncture tyres if not carefully avoided.” Photo by Richard Knights, Wikimedia commons.